Obama signs bill preventing healthcare cost increase

WASHINGTON, Oct. 8 (UPI) -- President Obama signed changes into Obamacare preventing health insurance premium increases for millions.

The rare bipartisan changes, called the Protecting Affordable Coverage for Employees Act, will ensure some 3 million people won't see a spike in premiums in 2016. The bill was passed by both chambers without a single "no" vote and signed by the president Wednesday without controversy or fanfare.

"I'm very pleased that, in this instance, Congress rose above the partisan squabbling to make this improvement to the health care reform bill and I hope it's a good omen for further cooperation," Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., a co-sponsor of the bill, said.

The new law, which could affect up to 150,000 businesses, makes a minor change in the definition of "small business" from one with 50 employees or fewer to one with 100 employees or fewer.

Since the Affordable Care Act was introduced, Obama has signed at least 14 bills making substantial changes to his signature legislation. Eight of those have been Republican bills.